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Home - Open Place

On this web site you will find information about the services we provide and how Forgotten Australians can access these services.

We are committed to continuing and expanding our outreach capacity in order to better serve isolated Forgotten Australians and isolated communities.

Please click on any of the tabs below for information about the services provided by Open Place.On this web site you will find information about the services we provide and how Forgotten Australians can access these services.

Open Place offers support for people apply for, or thinking of applying for, redress through the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

The National Redress Scheme has been established to support people who were sexually abused as children while in the care of an institution. The establishment of a National Redress Scheme was recommended by the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse. The Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.

The Redress Scheme can provide three things:

access to psychological counselling

a direct personal response - such as an apology from the responsible institution for people who want it

a monetary payment

A person can choose to apply to the National Redress Scheme if they:

experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018 and

are aged over 18 or will turn 18 before 30 June 2028, and

are applying for redress from an institution that has joined the National Redress Scheme, and

apply between 1 July and 30 June 2027

If you are interested in finding out any more about this, we have a specialist Redress Scheme support team who will be able to answer your questions and give you accurate, up to date information about the redress process.

Additional information can be found at:

Royal Commission Final Report

The Royal Commission held its final sitting Thursday 14 December and handed down its Full Report Friday 15 December 2017. This can be found here.

We Hope

The purpose of this publication launched in November 2016 at the anniversary of the National Apology is to say that Forgotten Australians matter. Their lives and their stories matter. In this publication it is the Forgotten Australians themselves speaking; of hope, recognition and justice, which many still seek as a result of childhood experiences and the struggles in adult life as a consequence of these experiences.

Treasure Trove is a collection of small creative writing pieces that were produced by Forgotten Australians with the support of Open Place.

With just a few well-chosen words - brought alive with the soulful power of visual imagery - these six-word stories, three-line poems, unsent letters, single sentences and other creative writing gems open up a treasure trove of stories and experiences. Some of the pieces of writing sparkle with wisdom, some are filled with humour, and still others intrugue with the uniqueness of their vision. Many provide a glimpse of lives unimaginably altered by traumatic childhood experiences. All demonstrate an astonishing depth of resilience and courage.

We Believe you is a compilation of the feedback given during the INSIDE Exhibition.

This booklet celebrates the fifth anniversary of the National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants that was provided by the Honourable Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister, and supported by the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull, former Opposition Leader, on 16 November 2009.

We Remember You is a booklet published by Open Place, for Forgotten Australians to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the unveiling of the Memorial to Forgotten Australians on Southbank. The stories contained in this booklet are part of the history of Forgotten Australians; a history that must never be forgotten. These stories tell us about suffering, endurance and resilience. Despite continuing struggles with their past experiences each, in their own way, has made a life with meaning and purpose. If you are a registered service user of Open Place and would like a copy of the booklet, please contact us on 1800 779 379 or email us at info@openplace.org.au and we’ll arrange a copy to be forwarded to you.

The we Remember You Booklet is currently being updated and will be available to download at a later date.

WHAT'S ON

Activities available at Open Place

Quilting Group - Every 2nd Monday from 10.00am - 2.00pm

Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP if you wish to attend by calling 1800 779 379

Leatherwork Group- Every 3rd Tuesday from 10.00am - 1.00pm

Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP if you wish to attend by calling 1800 779 379

Men's Walking Group - The last Tuesday of every month at 1.00pm. Come and join David for a relaxing walk together. The aim is to get out of the house, exercise, chat and have fun.

Don't forget to bring a hat, walking shoes and a drink bottle. Open Place will provide sunscreen and an umbrella.

Singing Group - The 1st Friday of every month from 1.00pm - 2.30pm. Come along and sing and dance to old favourites and pick songs of your choice with Annabell.

Friday Cook-Up - A lunch is provided every Friday and served from 12.00pm - 12.30pm. All registered users welcome.